Surgical splint



K. N. KASHYAP SURGICAL SPLINT June 1 1, 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 24, 1961 INVENTOR June 11, 1963 K. N. KASHYAP 3,093,131

SURGICAL SPLINT Filed July 24, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Zed? M. kaw q Filed July 24, 1961, Ser. No. 126,667 1 Claim. (Cl. 128-85) This invention relates to improvements in surgical apparatus and, more particularly, to improvements in surgical splints adapted to provide traction for a broken arm or leg.

As an aid to correct healing it is frequently necessary to place broken arms or legs traction whereby, the limb is stretched longitudinally in order to mtaintain the broken ends of the bone in contiguity and, at the same time, to prevent impaction therebetween and be coming malformed upon joining. To this end, it is conventional practice to provide a surgical splint comprising a firm, padded support ring adapted to fit closely around the thicker part of the limb adjacent the trunk, that is to say, in the groin in the case of the leg and in theaxialla in the case of the arm. A pair of side bars extend outwardly from said support ring and are adapted to ex tend beyond the hand or foot as the case may be and to be connected at their outermost ends by a transverse bar. A resilient harness is then attached to the hand or foot and subsequently tied to the transverse bar to exert a stretching force to the broken limb. It is obvious that this force exerted on the transverse bar is transferred through the side bars to the support ring, tending to cause it to slip up the arm or leg towards the In splints of the prior art, this action is quite possible, resulting in a loss in effective traction and exerting a pressure, through the support ring, in the groin or axialla, causing discomfort to the patient.

The major disadvantage with present surgical splints of this type is that they are not adjustable either in the girth of the support ring or in length and, consequently, many various sizes to fit individual dimensions must be stored in order to provide such splints for a wide range of patients, and even so such splints may not be as perfect a fit as might be deemed advisable.

Yet another disadvantage of the present splints is that they are not collapsible and therefore are difficult both to store and to transport. This is especially important in ambulances and the like where the maximum amount of equipment must be stored in a minimum amount of space.

It is also an obvious disadvantage, bearing in mind the greatly differing sizes of arms and legs that invariably a splint adapted to fit legs is far too big to be adapted to be fitted on an arm, and similarly, an aim splint is too small to be fitted to a leg. 7

It is an object of the present invention to provide a splint which may be adjusted to fit perfectly on any size arm or leg, thereby providing a firm point of countertraction.

It is another object of this invention to provide a splint which may be completely collapsed and so stored or carried easily.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a splint which may be quickly and easily assembled and adjusted when required for use.

It is still another object of this present invention to provide a splint which will permit the arm or leg to be pivoted at a shoulder or hip joint while still maintaining its effectiveness.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a splint having adjustably spaced side bars, in order to provide a closer fitting splint if required.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a splint, the support ring size of which may be 3,093,131 Patented June 11, 1963 2 maintained in its predetermined size by a substantially fool-proof, non-slip clip.

These and other objects and features of this invention will become apparent when takenin conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a fractional, part sectional View of a splint embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is 'a mid horizont-al, sectional, side elevation of the spring clip and metal band utilized in forming the support ring embodied in the present invention, shown in its locked position.

FIG. 3 is a sectional, side elevation of the clip as illustrated in FIG. 2 shown in its unlocked position.

FIG. 4 is a sectional, side elevation of the upper end of a side bar of the splint illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the method by which the side bar is attached to the upper ring.

FIG. 5 is a fractional end view of the splint illustrated in FIG. 1 showing particularly the construction of the transverse bar, its means of attachment and adjustment in relation to the side bats and the method of retaining it in a folded position when not required for use.

FIG. 6 is a section-a1 end elevation of the end fitting for the transverse bar, taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5, showing particularly the method by which axial travel is prevented along the side bar while permitting partial rotation of the side bar.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the splint illustrated in FIG. 1 as shown in location on, and applying traction too, a leg member.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of an alternative strip configuration which may be utilized in the construction of the support ring.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of yet another alternative construction for strip forming the support ring of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a fractional, sectional side elevation of an alternative clip structure to that illustrated in FIG. 2.

Refierring to FIG. 1, a surgical splint 20 comprises a support ring assembly 21; a long outer side bar 22 swivably attached to said support ring assembly 21 and extending substantially at right angles thereto; a shorter inner side bar 23 similarly attached to support ring 21 and located substantially diametrically opposite bar '22; and a transverse bar 24 interconnecting side bars 22 and 23 adjacent their lower ends, thereby maintaining bars 22 and 23 in spaced apart relationship.

For clarity of description, the ends of bars 22 and 23 attached to ring assembly 21 will be known as the upper ends '25 and 26 respectively and their opposite ends, remote from ring assembly 21, will be known as lower ends 27 and 28 respectively.

Support ring assembly 21 comprises a band 29 of perforated, metal strip having ends 30 and 31 in overlapping relationship and perforations 32 in close, equally spaced apart relationship running substantially centrally throughout the length of band 29. Band 29 is maintained in a substantially circular configuration by means of a clip 33 adapted to hold ends 30 land 31 thereof in locked relationship.

Referring particularly to FIG. 2, clip 33 comprises a solid, substantially cubic body member 34 having a slot 35 passing therethrough adjacent theinnermost side 36 thereof. Slot 35 is adapted to accommodate a double thickness of the material of band 29 so that ends 30 and 31 thereof may be slidably inserted therethrough with their perforations 32 in axial alignment. A guide hole 37 formed substantially centrally through body member 34 and horizontally thereto is adapted to permit a locking pin 38 to slidably pass therethrough and to pass through slot 35 by passing through one perforation 32 of end 30 and its contiguous perforation 32 of end 31 of band 29. Hole 37 extends beyond slot so that pin 38 is supported both by the bulk of body member 34 and also by the material of inner side 36 surrounding guide hole 37.

In this way, pins 30 and 31 are maintained in fixed relationship and, therefore, the diameter of band 29 is also fixed.

A knurled edge disc 39 forms a head for pin 38 and, in the locked position as illustrated in FIG. 2, disc 39 is adapted to rest upon a shoulder 40 formed in body member 34. A wall 41 extending substantially at right angles to shoulder 49 retains one end of a fiat spring 42, the free end of which is adapted to exert a pressure on disc 39 retaining pin 38 in its locked position.

A slanting wall 43 extends downwardly and outwardly from shoulder 40 and, in the locked position, a follower pin 44 extending downwardly from the circumferential edge of disc 39 is adapted to contact wall 43 at its lowest possible point while still permitting locking pin 38 to remain fully home within guide hole 37.

Referring also to FIG. 3, it will be seen that rotation of disc 39 causes follower pin 44 to ride up the slanting wall 43 and, upon reaching shoulder 40, disc 39 is held spaced apart from shoulder 40 by the length of follower pin 44 thus pin 38 is caused to move axially outwardly from hole 37 for a distance sufiicient to permit its innermost end to move out of slot 35 and perforations 32, thereby permitting free movement between ends 30 and 31 of band 29. This movement may be utilized either to remove ends 30 and 31 completely from clip 33 in order to flatten band 29 for storage purposes or the like, or to adjust the relative positions of ends 30 and 31 and so adjust the diameter of band 29. During this operation, spring 42 has become deflected and still exerts a force on disc 39 so that, upon subsequent rotation of disc 39, pin 44 will be forced to assume its position at the lowest point on wall 43 due to the pressure of spring 42 on disc 39, and, therefore, pin 38 is again held in its fully inserted position in the hole 37. A ball 45 integral with body 34 extends diametrically outwardly thereof on the outermost wall 46 of body 34.

Referring back to FIG. 1, two other clips 33 as herein described are assembled upon band 29 in a manner similar to that described except that only one thickness of band 29 passes through each respective slot 35. These latter two clips 33 are located and locked on hand 29 substantially diametrically opposite each other and are adapted to carry upper ends 25 and 26 of side bars 22 and 23 respectively.

FIGS. 1 and 4 illustrate the method by which ends 25 and 26 are swivably attached to clips 33. Two similar end fittings 49 and 50 are swivably attached to upper ends 25 and 26 respectively, each of said fittings having a keyhole type slot 51 formed in the end thereof adapted to accommodate ball 45. A screw 52 is adapted to extend transversely across each slot 51, adjacent the outer end thereof, thereby ensuring that ball 45 remains swivably therein.

FIG. 1 also illustrates the construction of side bars 22 and 23 which, due to their length, would be unwieldy for storage purposes and are therefore jointed midway. In the following description the method of jointing bar 23 is described, and it should be understood that bar 22 is similarly jointed.

A double hinge 54 is located substantially centrally of bar 23 and is flanked by an upper groove 55 and a lower groove 56 formed in bar 23. A close fitting, slidable, tubular sleeve 57 is adapted to be slidable on bar 23 and, in particular, to extend over hinge 54 and beyond grooves 55 and 56. Two knurl-headed screws 58 and 59 are adapted to pass substantially transversely through opposite ends of sleeve 57 and are so spaced apart as to register with grooves 55 and 56 respectively upon sleeve 57 being assembled over hinge 54. In this manner, bar 23 4 may be folded when not required for use and may be assembled to form a completely rigid structure when needed to be utilized as a splint.

Bar 22 is similarly hinged and locked rigid by a sleeve 60 similar in all respects to sleeve 57.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the method of attaching transverse bar 24 to side bars 22 and 23 is illustrated. A sleeve 61 is adapted to be a close sliding fit over the lower end of bar 22, its axial movement thereon being restricted by a pin 62 extending radially outwardly from diametrical, opposite sides of bar 22; oppositely located slots 63-63 formed in the upper end of sleeve 61 being adapted to register with pin 62. An end cap 64, formed on the end of bar 22, retains a coil spring 65 which extends around bar 22 and is adapted to exert an upward pressure on sleeve 61 thereby maintaining slots 63 in contact with pin 62. A lug 66, substantially normal to the axis of sleeve 61, extends toward bar 23 and is adapted to swivably support one end of transverse bar 24. A sleeve 67 on the opposite end of bar 24 is adapted to fit closely but slidably around bar 23. A plurality of spaced apart grooves 68 are formed around bar 23 adjacent the lower end thereof.

Referring also to FIG. 6, bar 23 may be moved through sleeve 67 and locked in any desired position by means of a set screw 69 passing through sleeve 67 into the selected groove 68 in bar 23. A spring loaded ball mechanism 70 also extends radially of sleeve 67, coplanar with screw 69 and is adapted to temporarily index in grooves 68 as bar 23 is passed through sleeve 67, so that, upon attaining the desired relationship between sleeve 67 and bar 23 ball 70 will quickly and easily locate the desired groove 68 in radial alignment with screw 69.

A grooved lug '71 of similar diameter to bar 23 extends outwardly of bar 22, coplanar with lug 66, and at a distance apart therefrom to permit bar 24 to be swivelled about lug 66 and sleeve 67 to be assembled on lug 71 in a manner similar to which it is assembled on bar 23, upon it being required to collapse and store splint 20.

Referring also to FIG. 7, it will be noted that the object of having bar 23 adjustable within sleeve 67 is to enable a person applying splint 20 to adjust the angularity of supporting ring assembly 21 with respect to bars 22 and 23. In this manner, support assembly 21 may be applied to the patient in a most efiicient and comfortable manner. It will also be noted that the method of attaching sleeve 61 to bar 22 permits it to be rotated through 180 and locked in its new position thereby enabling the longer bar 22 to be on the outside either on a right or left limb without further adjustment to supporting ring assembly 21.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 7 it should also be noted that band 29 is enveloped in a soft cushioning material 72 which may be easily removed and replaced to permit storage and adjustment of band 29, but will permit application of band 29 to an injured limb without causing undue discomfort to the patient.

FIG. 8 illustrates alternative configuration of band 29 wherein perforations 32 are replaced by a plurality of cut-outs 75 and FIG. 9 illustrates band 29 having a plurality of serrations 76 formed therein also replacing the original perforations 32.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative means of spring loading pin 38 of clip 33 whereby leaf spring 42 and disc 39 as illustrated in FIG. 2 is replaced by an angled bar 76 pivoted at its apex 77 and biased downwardly by means of a spring 78. Pin 38 is attached to the horizontal arm 79 of bar 76 in a conventional slotted pivot type of attachment so that, upon the substantially vertical arm 80 of bar 76 being moved arcuately about apex 77, pin 38 will be withdrawn from block 35 as previously described. Release of pressure from arm 8% permits spring 73 to return bar 76 to its original position and reinserts pin 38 through slot 35 and band 29 as previously described.

It may be seen that therefore splint 20 of the present invention may have its support ring assembly 21 adjusted to any diameter within a very wide range and furthermore, by means of the mechanism described under FIGS. and 6, the angle at which ring assembly 21 is located on a limb may be quickly and easily adjusted. It should also be noted that transverse bar 24 is bent in an obtuse angle toward ring assembly 21 so that any harness 81 as illustrated in FIG. 7 is substantially centralized thereon and Will be prevented from slipping to one side.

From the foregoing description it may be seen that splint 20 may be easily reduced to its individual components; band 29 may be disassociated from clips 33 and flattened, together with cushioning material '72, side bars 22 and 23 folded at their centres and transverse bar 24 may be folded and held against bar 22. In this manner, the aforesaid components may be conveniently stowed in the minimum of space and easily carried to the scene of an emergency.

The general design of the individual parts of the invention as explained above may be varied in accordance wit the requirements in regard to manufacture and production thereof, while still remaining within the spirit and principle of the invention, without prejudicing the novelty thereof.

The embodiments of this invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

A surgical splint including an adjustable, band means having a plurality of perforations therethrough; clip means having a slot therethrough; the ends of said band means in overlapping relationship passing oppositely through said slot, having at least two of said perforations in axial alignment; a spring loaded pin mounted in said clip passing transversely through said slot and through said aligned perforations; cushioning means surrounding said band means; two oppositely located clips adjustably attached to said band means; ball members integral with said oppositeiy located clips; side bars including upper members having axial slots therein; each said slot slidably receiving and rotatably retaining one of said ball members; screw means extending through said upper members transversely of said slots to retain said ball members therein; said side bars being substantially coplanar and coextensive; each of said side bars including hinged portions; a sleeve member slidable on each of said bars and screw means for the lockable retention of said sleeve member on said side bar over each of said hinged portions thereof; a transverse bar interconnecting the ends of said side bars remote from said band means; said transverse bar comprising an obtuse angled cross bar having a fixed sleeve at one end thereof located on one of said side bars and an adjustable sleeve at the opposite end thereof, slidable on the other of said side bars; said adjustable sleeve being provided with locking means; said other side bar having a plurality of spaced apart, circumferential grooves for the selective retention of said locking means; and lug means for the selective retention of said adjustable sleeve on said side bar carrying said fixed sleeve.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 173,051 Parke Feb. 1, 1876 1,101,954 Petry June 30, 1914 2,146,842 Niessen Feb. 14, 1939 2,198,908 Ellis Apr. 30, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 830,264 France July 26, 1938 OTHER REFERENCES Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, Splint for Fractures of the Leg, pages 528 and 529, April 1933. (Copy in Div. 55.) 

